CN109716031B

CN109716031B - Energy distribution system

Info

Publication number: CN109716031B
Application number: CN201780056378.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 弗雷德里克·罗森奎斯特
Original assignee: Swedish Ion
Current assignee: Swedish Ion
Priority date: 2016-09-20
Filing date: 2017-09-14
Publication date: 2022-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-14
Also published as: KR102341482B1; JP2019532246A; RU2019110368A; EP3296647A1; KR102341483B1; CN109716031A; US20210293417A1; JP6972118B2; AU2017329207A1; KR20200117047A; AU2017329207B2; MX2019003066A; EP3885657A1; BR112019005234A2; RU2019110368A3; MY196508A; WO2018054757A1; US11454404B2; EP3516302A1; KR20190035844A

Abstract

The invention relates to a local energy distribution system. The local energy distribution system includes: a local supply conduit (22); a local return conduit (23); a central heat exchanger (21) connected to the district heating network (10), the district heating network (10) comprising a district supply conduit (11) for an incoming flow of a district heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120 ℃ and a district return conduit (12) for a return flow of a district heat transfer fluid having a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature, the second temperature being in the range of 40-60 ℃, wherein the central heat exchanger (21) is configured to exchange heat from the incoming flow of the district heat transfer fluid to an outgoing flow of a local heat transfer fluid in the local supply conduit (22), the outgoing flow of the local heat transfer fluid having a temperature of 5-30 ℃; and a plurality of local heating systems (200), each local heating system having an inlet (25) connected to a local supply conduit (22) and an outlet (26) connected to a local return conduit (23), wherein each local heating system (200) is configured to provide hot and/or comfort heating to a building (40).

Description

Energy distribution system

Technical Field

The invention relates to an energy distribution system.

Background

Almost all large developed cities in the world contain at least two types of energy distribution networks in their infrastructure: one for heating and one for cooling. The network for supplying heat may for example be used for providing comfort heating and/or process heating and/or for hot tap water preparation. The network for cooling may for example be used for providing comfort cooling and/or process cooling.

A common network for heating is an air supply network or an electrical network providing comfort heating and/or process heating and/or for the preparation of hot tap water. An alternative network for heating is the district heating network. District heating networks are used to provide heated heat transfer fluid (which is typically in the form of water) to urban buildings. A centrally located heat supply pump station is used to heat and distribute the heated heat transfer fluid. The heated heat transfer fluid is delivered to the building via one or more supply conduits and returned to the heat supply pump station via one or more return conduits. Heat from the heated heat transfer fluid is extracted locally in the building via a regional heat station (heat station) that includes a heat exchanger.

A common network for cooling is the power grid. The electricity may be used, for example, to run a refrigerator or freezer or to run an air conditioner to provide comfortable cooling. An alternative network for cooling is a district cooling network. Regional cooling grids are used to provide cooled heat transfer fluid (which is typically in the form of water) to urban buildings. A centrally located cold supply pump station is used to cool and distribute the heat transfer fluid so cooled. The cooled heat transfer fluid is delivered to the building via one or more supply conduits and returned to the cooling pumping stations via one or more return conduits. In the part of the building, cooling from the cooled heat transfer fluid is obtained via a heat pump.

The use of energy for heating and/or cooling is steadily increasing, with negative environmental consequences. By increasing the utilization of the energy distributed in the energy distribution network, negative effects on the environment can be reduced. Therefore, there is a need to improve the utilization of the energy distributed in energy distribution networks, including existing networks. Providing heating/cooling also requires a significant investment in engineering projects and a constant effort to reduce costs. Therefore, there is a need to improve how to provide sustainable solutions for heating and cooling in cities.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to address at least some of the above problems.

According to a first aspect, a local energy distribution system is provided. The local energy distribution system includes: a local supply conduit; a local return conduit; a central heat exchanger connected to a district heating network, the district heating network comprising a district supply conduit for an inlet flow of a district heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120 ℃ and a district return conduit for a return flow of the district heat transfer fluid, wherein the central heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat from the inlet flow of the district heat transfer fluid to an outlet flow of a local heat transfer fluid in the local supply conduit, the outlet flow of the local heat transfer fluid having a temperature of 5-30 ℃; and a plurality of local heating systems, each local heating system having an inlet connected to the local supply conduit and an outlet connected to the local return conduit, wherein each local heating system is configured to provide hot and/or comfort heating to the building.

By exchanging heat from the incoming flow of district heat transfer fluid to the outgoing flow of local heat transfer fluid according to the above, a cheaper, more advanced and more energy efficient energy distribution system is achieved compared to conventional district heating systems using district heating networks. For example, heat transfer losses will be reduced, making the local energy distribution system more economical and energy efficient. Furthermore, since the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid distributing the energy in the local energy distribution system is relatively low, heat transfer losses will be reduced, thereby reducing restrictions on the use of the tubes of the piping for transporting the heat transfer fluid compared to conventional district heating systems using district heating networks. Furthermore, by setting the output flow of the local heat transfer fluid from the central heat exchanger at a temperature of 5-30 ℃, the cooling rate in the local energy distribution system will be reduced compared to a conventional district heating system using a district heating network. The localized energy distribution system may also implement efficient energy distribution solutions in extended areas where the existing district heating network is weak or difficult to expand. It is both expensive and complicated to reinforce or extend an existing district heating network. Further, by reducing the cooling rate of the energy distribution system, the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid is reduced. Thus, the overall need for pumping in the energy distribution system is reduced. This will further reduce the complexity of the energy distribution system compared to conventional district heating systems using district heating networks.

According to theoretical simulations, the local energy distribution system will absorb about 5-10% of the total energy put into the local energy distribution system from solar energy (which is in the form of heat energy absorbed from the ground surrounding the local supply and return pipes) within one calendar year. Further, 65-70% of the total energy put into the local energy distribution system will be energy from the district heating network supply, and about 25% of the total energy put into the local energy distribution system will be electricity used to drive the local heating system.

Each of the plurality of local heating systems may be configured to extract heat from a local heat transfer fluid entering the local heating system via the inlet and return the local heat transfer fluid to the local return conduit via the outlet.

Each of the plurality of local heating systems may be configured to return a local heat transfer fluid having a temperature in the range of-5-15 ℃. By conducting the local heat transfer fluid at a temperature within this temperature range, heat loss to the surrounding environment may be reduced. Furthermore, the thermal energy of the surroundings can even be absorbed by the local heat transfer fluid flowing in the local return conduit. The surroundings of the return conduit are usually land, since the return conduit and the supply conduit are usually arranged underground along most of their path.

The local supply conduit and the local return conduit may together have a heat transfer coefficient of more than 2.5 watts per meter & kelvin (W/(mK)) when arranged in parallel below ground. This value of the heat transfer coefficient is estimated when the local supply piping and the local return piping are arranged in parallel one meter apart from each other underground with an average annual temperature of 8 c and the arithmetic average temperature of the local supply piping and the local return piping is 8-10 c. In this way, heat from the surroundings can be absorbed by the local supply duct and/or the local return duct. Furthermore, inexpensive uninsulated plastic pipes may be used for the local supply and/or return pipes. Furthermore, the thermal energy of the surroundings can be easily absorbed by the local heat transfer fluid flowing in the local return conduit.

At least some of the plurality of local heating systems may comprise local circulation pumps connected between the inlet and the outlet of the respective local heating system for circulating the local heat transfer fluid in the local supply and return conduits. A system capable of distributively pumping a localized heat transfer fluid is thus provided. Such a system is less vulnerable. This is because the rest of the system can still be operated in the event of a failure of one or more of the local circulation pumps. Furthermore, by distributing the pumping over a plurality of local circulation pumps, smaller and cheaper circulation pumps can be used.

The local energy distribution system may further comprise a central circulation pump configured to circulate the fluid in the local supply and return conduits. The central circulation pump may be used to provide a base pressure in the local energy distribution system, which will reduce the pumping work of the local circulation pump. Alternatively or in combination, by using a central circulation pump, the equipment in some or all buildings may be simplified, as a central circulation pump may be used instead of a local circulation pump. Instead of a local circulation pump in the building, a check valve may be used to regulate the flow in the local heating system.

Each local heating system may comprise a radiator and a local heat pump.

The central heat exchanger may be configured to exchange heat such that the temperature of the zone heat transfer fluid returned to the zone return conduit is in the range of 5-20 c, preferably 5-10 c. By returning such a low temperature zone heat transfer fluid, the cooling in the central heat exchanger 21 can be up to about 100 ℃ (depending on the temperature of the incoming zone heat transfer fluid fed through the zone feed conduit). This high degree of cooling performed in the central heat exchanger will reduce heat losses in the district heating network. Furthermore, it will reduce the degree of pumping required in district heating networks.

The local energy distribution system may further include one or more local cooling systems having an inlet connected to an outlet of one of the plurality of local heating systems, wherein the one or more local cooling systems are configured to extract heat from the building. In this way, a combined heating and cooling system is provided. Furthermore, only one of the energy distribution networks is used, providing both comfortable heating and comfortable cooling in a simple and cost-effective manner.

The one or more local cooling systems may include a chiller and a cooling heat exchanger.

According to a second aspect, an energy distribution system is provided. The energy distribution system includes: a district heating network comprising a district supply conduit for an inlet flow of a district heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120 ℃ and a district return conduit for a return flow of the district heat transfer fluid; and a local energy distribution system according to the above.

The energy distribution system may further comprise a central heating station connected to the district heating network for providing heat to the district heating network.

The energy distribution system may also include a plurality of district heat stations, wherein each district heat station is configured to provide hot tap water and/or comfort heating to the building.

The above-described features of the local energy distribution system apply also to this second aspect, where applicable. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the above.

According to a third aspect, a method for distributing energy to a plurality of buildings is provided. The method comprises the following steps: exchanging heat from an input stream of a regional heat transfer fluid from a regional supply conduit in a regional heating network to an output stream of a local heat transfer fluid in a local supply conduit of a local energy distribution system at a central heat exchanger, the input stream of the regional heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120 ℃ and the output stream of the local heat transfer fluid having a temperature of 5-30 ℃; and extracting heat from the local heat transfer fluid flowing in the local supply conduit at a local heating system in each of the plurality of buildings to provide hot tap water and/or comfort heating to the respective building, each local heating system having an inlet connected to the local supply conduit.

The method may further comprise: circulating a local heat transfer fluid flow in a local energy distribution system, the local energy distribution system comprising a local supply conduit configured to distribute a local heat transfer fluid from the central heat exchanger and a local return conduit configured to distribute the local heat transfer fluid to the central heat exchanger.

The method may further comprise: extracting heat from a building of the plurality of buildings at a local cooling system having an inlet connected to an outlet of one of the plurality of local heating systems; and distributing heat extracted from the building to the local heat transfer fluid.

Where applicable, the local energy distribution system and/or the above-described features of the energy distribution system are also applicable to this third aspect. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the above.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

It is to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular components of the devices or steps of the methods described, as such devices and methods may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several means, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising," "including," "containing," and similar language do not exclude other elements or steps.

Drawings

These and other aspects of the invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiments of the invention. The drawings are provided to illustrate the general structure of embodiments of the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an energy distribution system.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a district heating system.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a combined heating and cooling system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a method for distributing energy to a plurality of buildings.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In connection with fig. 1, an energy distribution system 1 will be discussed. The energy distribution system 1 comprises a district heating network 10 and a local energy distribution system 20. The local energy distribution system 20 is connected to the district heating network 10 via a central heat exchanger 21.

The district heating network 10 is formed of one or more hydraulic networks configured to deliver district heat transfer fluid to the district heat stations 16, the district heat stations 16 being disposed in a building 40 such as an office building, a commercial site, a residence, and a plant requiring heating. A typical district heat station 16 includes a heat exchanger. The typical district heating network 10 includes a central heating station 15 that heats a heat transfer fluid. The central heating plant 15 may for example be a district heating plant. The heated regional heat transfer fluid is transported via one or more regional supply conduits 11 forming part of a conduit network to distributed regional heat stations 16 disposed in the building 40. It is understood that the same building 40 may include several regional heat stations 16. The district heat stations 16 are configured to provide comfort heating and/or hot tap water to the respective buildings 40.

As the heat of the district heat transfer fluid is consumed in the district heat stations 16, the temperature of the district heat transfer fluid is reduced and the cooled district heat transfer fluid is therefore returned to the central heating station 15 via one or more district return conduits 12 forming part of the conduit network.

The district heating network 1 is used to meet comfort heating requirements and/or hot tap water requirements. The zone heat transfer fluid is typically water. The temperature of the zone heat transfer fluid in the zone feed conduit(s) 11 is typically between 50-120 c. The return temperature in the one or more zones return ducts 12 is typically between 40-60 c.

The driving pressure difference between the area supply line 11 and the area return line 12 of the hydraulic network always produces a so-called "pressure cone", whereby the pressure in the area supply line 11 is higher than the pressure in the return line 12. This pressure differential causes the district heat transfer fluid to circulate in the hydraulic network between the central heating station 15 and the district heating station 16. One or more district network circulation pumps 13 are arranged in the district heating network 10 in order to provide a driving pressure difference.

The regional supply and return

pipes

11, 12 used in the regional cooling network 10 are typically made of insulated steel pipes designed for a maximum pressure of 1.6MPa and a maximum temperature of about 100 and 120 c. In this context, the insulation should be constructed such that the pipe is wrapped with an additional layer of insulation. As a non-limiting example, the steel pipes of the regional supply and return

pipes

11, 12 are insulated such that the pipes arranged in parallel underground have a heat transfer coefficient lower than 1.5 (preferably lower than 1.0) watts per meter & kelvin (W/(mK)). These values of the heat transfer coefficient are estimated when the zone supply piping and the return piping are arranged in parallel at a distance of one meter from each other underground with an average annual temperature of 8 c and the arithmetic average temperature of the zone supply piping and the return piping is 80-90 c.

As mentioned above, the local energy distribution system 20 is connected to the district heating network 10 via the central heat exchanger 21. Such heat exchangers are well known in the art and may be described substantially as comprising an arrangement of: the arrangement includes a first circuit circulating a first fluid having a first temperature, and a second circuit circulating a second fluid having a second temperature. The first and second circuits are in close abutment with each other along their respective extensions. Heat transfer occurs between the first fluid and the second fluid through two loops that are in close abutment with each other along the extension. For the central heat exchanger 21, the first loop forms part of the district heating network 10 and the second loop forms part of the local energy distribution network 20 a. The local energy distribution network 20a is part of the local energy distribution system 20. The local energy distribution network 20a includes a local supply conduit 22 and a local return conduit 23. The local energy distribution network 20a is configured to deliver a local heat transfer fluid to a local heating system 200, the local heating system 200 being arranged in a building 40, preferably a house, but may also be arranged in other types of buildings 40, such as office buildings, commercial premises and plants requiring heating.

The central heat exchanger 21 is configured to transfer heat from an input flow of the zone heat transfer fluid to an output flow of the local heat transfer fluid in the local supply conduit 22 via the zone supply circuit 11. The central heat exchanger 21 is configured to exchange heat such that the output stream of the local heat transfer fluid has a temperature of 5-30 ℃. Furthermore, the central heat exchanger 21 may be configured to exchange heat such that the zone heat transfer fluid returning to the return conduit has a temperature of 5-10 ℃. By returning such a low temperature zone heat transfer fluid, the cooling in the central heat exchanger 21 can be up to about 100 ℃ (depending on the temperature of the incoming zone heat transfer fluid fed through the zone feed conduit). This high degree of cooling performed in the central heat exchanger will reduce heat losses in the district heating network. Furthermore, it will reduce the degree of pumping required in district heating networks.

Thus, the local energy distribution system 20 comprises a plurality of local heating systems 200. Referring to fig. 2, the district heating system 200 will be discussed in more detail.

The district heating system 200 includes a heat pump 24 and a radiator 30. The heat sink 30 is connected to the local energy distribution network 20a via the heat pump 24. The local heating system 200 is configured to provide comfort heating and/or hot tap water to the respective building 40 via the radiator 30 and the local heat pump 24. The local heat pump 24 has an inlet 25 connected to the local supply conduit 22 and an outlet 26 connected to the local return conduit 23. In this context, the term "inlet of the heat pump" should be understood as an inlet of: via which the heat pump is supplied with local heat transfer fluid from the local energy distribution network 20 a. Likewise, the term "outlet of the heat pump" is understood to mean such an outlet: the heat pump returns the local heat transfer fluid to the local energy distribution network 20a via the outlet.

Such heat pumps are well known in the art and basically comprise a closed circuit in which brine is circulated between a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet, in this case an inlet 25 and an outlet 26 of the local heat pump 24, via which inlet 25 and outlet 26 the local heat pump 24 is connected to a first circuit circulating a first fluid flow, in this case a local heat transfer fluid of the local energy distribution network 20 a. Likewise, the second heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet via which the local heat pump 24 is connected to a second circuit circulating a second fluid flow, in this case the heating fluid of the radiator 30. The heating fluid of the radiator 30 is typically water, but it will be appreciated that other fluids or mixtures of fluids may be used. Some non-limiting examples are ammonia, antifreeze liquids (e.g., ethylene glycol), oils, and alcohols. A non-limiting example of a mixture is water with an antifreeze agent such as ethylene glycol added.

Since the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid flow in the local supply conduit is 5-30 ℃, the input temperature of the local heat pump 24 is in the same temperature range. The local heating system 200 is configured to extract heat from a local heat transfer fluid entering the local heat pump 24 via an inlet 25 and return the local heat transfer fluid to the local return conduit 23 via an outlet 26. The local heat supply system 200 is configured to return a local heat transfer fluid having a temperature in the range of-5-15 ℃.

The local heating system 200 may also comprise a local circulation pump 28. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, a local circulation pump 28 is arranged in the outlet 26 of the local heat pump 24. However, the local circulation pump 28 may alternatively be arranged in the inlet 25 of the local heat pump 24. Thus, the local circulation pump 28 is connected between the inlet 25 and the outlet 26 of the local heating system 200. The local circulation pump 28 is configured to circulate the local heat transfer fluid in the local supply conduit 22 and the local return conduit 23. The local circulation pump 28 is configured to overcome a pressure difference between the local return conduit 23 and the local supply conduit 22. The local circulation pump 28 is also configured to regulate the flow of the local heat transfer fluid through the local heat pump 24. By regulating the flow of cooling fluid through the local heat pump 24, and optionally controlling the operation of the local heat pump 24 at the same time, the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid output from the local heat pump 24 may be controlled.

Thus, some or all of the plurality of local heating systems 200 of the local energy distribution system 20 may comprise local circulation pumps 28 for circulating the local heat transfer fluid in the local supply conduits 22 and the local return conduits 23. Additionally or in combination with a plurality of local circulation pumps 28, the local energy distribution system 20 may comprise a central circulation pump 27, the central circulation pump 27 being configured to circulate the fluid in the local supply conduits 22 and the local return conduits 23.

The local heat pump 24 may be controlled by a controller 29. The controller 29 may control the local heat pump 24 based on data relating to the heating demand of the radiator 30 and/or data relating to the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid in the outlet 26 of the local heat pump 24. Data relating to the heating demand of the radiator 30 can be determined by means of a heat demand sensor 31 connected to the radiator 30. Data relating to the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid in the outlet 26 of the heat pump 24 may be determined by a temperature sensor T1 connected to the outlet 26.

The pipes used for the local supply conduits 22 and the local return conduits 23 in the local energy distribution system 20 are typically plastic uninsulated pipes. In this context, the non-insulation should be constructed such that the pipe is not wrapped with an additional layer of insulation material. The pipes are usually designed for maximum pressures of 0.6-1 MPa. The tube is further typically designed for a maximum temperature of about 50 ℃. Furthermore, the local supply conduits 22 and the local return conduits 23 in the local energy distribution system 20 may together have a heat transfer coefficient of more than 2.5W/(mK) when arranged in parallel underground. As described above, when the local supply piping and the local return piping are arranged in parallel in the ground having an average annual temperature of 8 ℃ at a distance of one meter from each other and the arithmetic average temperature of the local supply piping and the local return piping is 8 to 10 ℃, this value of the heat transfer coefficient is estimated.

The local heat transfer fluid (and thus the energy carrier) is typically water, but it will be appreciated that other fluids or fluid mixtures may be used. Some non-limiting examples are ammonia, antifreeze liquids (e.g., ethylene glycol), oils, and alcohols. A non-limiting example of a mixture is water with an antifreeze agent such as ethylene glycol added. According to a preferred embodiment, the local heat transfer fluid is a mixture of water and an anti-freeze agent (e.g., ethylene glycol). This will allow the local heat transfer fluid to have a temperature below 0 ℃. Providing a local heat transfer fluid having a freezing point below 0 ℃, preferably below-5 ℃, makes it possible to conduct in the return conduit a local heat transfer fluid capable of absorbing heat from the surrounding environment (e.g. the earth surrounding the return conduit), even if the temperature of the surrounding environment is close to 0 ℃.

The local energy distribution system may also include one or more local cooling systems 300. Referring to fig. 2, the local cooling system 300 will be discussed in more detail. It is noted that the local cooling system 300 is arranged in connection with the local heating system 200. The local heating system 200 is a local heating system 200 as described above. With regard to the district heating system 200, reference is made to the above in order to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Each cooling system 300 includes a cooler 50 and a cooling heat exchanger 60. The cooler 50 is well known in the art and may be used, for example, for comfort cooling in buildings such as office buildings, commercial premises, homes and factories requiring cooling. The cooler 50 is connected to the local energy distribution network 20a via a cooling heat exchanger 60. The local cooling system 300 is configured to provide comfort cooling to the respective building 40 via the cooler 50 and the cooling heat exchanger 60. Thus, the local cooling system 300 is configured to extract heat from the building 40.

The cooling heat exchanger 60 has an inlet 62 connected to the outlet 26 of one of the plurality of district heating systems 200. The cooling heat exchanger 60 also has an outlet 64 connected to the local return duct 23 of the local energy distribution network 20 a. In this context, the term "inlet of the heat exchanger" is to be understood as an inlet in which: via which the heat exchanger is supplied with local heat transfer fluid from a local energy distribution network 20 a. Likewise, the term "outlet of the heat exchanger" is understood to mean such an outlet: the heat exchanger returns the local heat transfer fluid to the local energy distribution network 20a via the outlet.

As described above, the cooler 50 is connected to the local energy distribution network 20a via the cooling heat exchanger 60. With reference to the above, such heat exchangers are well known in the art and may be described substantially as comprising an arrangement of: the arrangement comprises a first closed loop circulating a first fluid having a first temperature, and a second closed loop circulating a second fluid having a second temperature. Heat transfer occurs between the two fluids by the two circuits abutting closely against each other along the extension. In the local cooling system 300, a first circuit is arranged locally in the building 40 and a second circuit forms part of the local energy distribution network 20 a. The coolers for the local cooling systems of buildings are usually located in ventilated air channels or distributed in the various spaces of the building by fan driven air coil collectors or ceiling mounted cooling stacks.

The local cooling system 300 may also include a flow valve 66. The flow valve 66 is configured to regulate the flow of the local heat transfer fluid through the cooling heat exchanger 60. By adjusting the flow of the local heat transfer fluid through the cooling heat exchanger 60, and optionally controlling the operation of the cooling heat exchanger 60 at the same time, the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid output from the cooling heat exchanger 60 can be controlled. Flow valve 66 may be controlled by a second controller 68. The second controller 68 may control the flow valve 66 based on the following data: data relating to the cooling demand of the chiller 50 and/or data relating to the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid in the outlet 26 of the local heating system 200 and/or data relating to the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid in the outlet 64 of the local cooling system 300. Data relating to the cooling demand of the cooler 50 may be determined by a cooling demand sensor 51 connected to the cooler 50. Data relating to the temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the outlet 26 of the local heating system 200 may be determined by the temperature sensor T1 discussed above. Data relating to the temperature of the local heat transfer fluid in the outlet 64 of the local cooling system 300 may be determined by a temperature sensor T2 connected to the outlet 64.

Referring to fig. 4, a method for distributing energy to a plurality of buildings 40 will be discussed. The method includes one or more of the following steps (act). The various steps may be performed in any suitable order.

An exchange step S400 of exchanging heat from an input flow of district heat transfer fluid from the district supply conduit 11 in the district heating network 10 at the central heat exchanger 21 to an output flow of local heat transfer fluid in the local supply conduit 22 of the local energy distribution system 20.

A circulation step S402 of circulating a flow of a local heat transfer fluid in a local energy distribution system 20, the local energy distribution system 20 comprising: a local supply conduit 22 configured to distribute a local heat transfer fluid from the central heat exchanger 21; and a local return conduit 23 configured to distribute the local heat transfer fluid to the central heat exchanger 21. The circulation step S402 is preferably performed using a plurality of local circulation pumps 28. Alternatively or in combination, the circulation step S404 may be performed using a central circulation pump 27.

An extraction step S404, at the local heating system 200 in each of the plurality of buildings 40, extracts heat from the local heat transfer fluid flowing in the local supply conduit 22 to provide hot tap water and/or comfort heating to the respective building 40.

An extraction step S406, at the cooling system 300, extracts heat from one of the plurality of buildings 40.

An allocation step S408 allocates heat extracted from the building 40 to the local heat transfer fluid. Heat may be distributed to the local heat transfer fluid of the local return conduit 23. Alternatively or in combination, heat may be distributed to the local heat transfer fluid of the local supply conduit 22.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the flow valve 66 is disposed in the outlet 64 of the cooling heat exchanger 60. However, the flow valve 66 may alternatively be disposed in the inlet 62 of the cooling heat exchanger 60.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the first controller 29 and the second controller 68 are shown as separate controllers. However, alternatively, the first controller 29 and the second controller 68 may be combined into a single controller.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, a central circulation pump 27 is shown at the inlet of the central heat exchanger. However, it should be appreciated that the central circulation pump 27 may be arranged anywhere within the local energy distribution network 20 a.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the local heat transfer fluid leaving the local cooling system 200 via the outlet 64 of the cooling heat exchanger 60 is supplied to the local return conduit 23. However, alternatively or in combination, the local heat transfer fluid exiting the local cooling system 200 via the outlet 64 may be supplied to the local supply conduit 22. The supply of local heat transfer fluid exiting the local cooling system 200 via the outlet 64 may be controlled by the second controller 68. The supply of the local heat transfer fluid exiting the local cooling system 200 via the outlet 64 to the local supply conduit 22 and/or the local return conduit 23 may be controlled based on the temperature monitored by the second sensor T2.

Further, the heating system and the cooling system are illustrated to have one temperature sensor T1 and two temperature sensors T1-T2, respectively. It should be understood that the number of temperature sensors and their location may vary. It should also be understood that other sensors may be introduced into the system depending on the desired inputs and desired complexity of the first and

second controllers

29, 68. In particular, the first controller 29 and the second controller 68 may be arranged to communicate with radiators 30 and/or coolers 50 arranged locally in the building 40 to take account of the local settings.

In addition, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A localized energy distribution system comprising:

a local supply conduit;

a local return conduit;

a central heat exchanger connected to a district heating network comprising a district supply conduit for an inlet flow of a district heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120 ℃ and a district return conduit for a return flow of a district heat transfer fluid, wherein the central heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat from the inlet flow of a district heat transfer fluid to an outlet flow of a local heat transfer fluid in the local supply conduit, the outlet flow of a local heat transfer fluid having a temperature of 5-30 ℃; and

a plurality of local heating systems, each local heating system having an inlet connected to the local supply conduit and an outlet connected to the local return conduit, wherein each local heating system is configured to provide hot and/or comfort heating to a building,

wherein the local supply conduit and the local return conduit together have a heat transfer coefficient greater than 2.5W/(mK) when arranged in parallel below ground, an

Wherein the central heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat such that the temperature of the zone heat transfer fluid returning to the zone return conduit is 5-10 ℃.

2. The local energy distribution system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of local heating systems is configured to extract heat from a local heat transfer fluid entering the local heating system via the inlet and return the local heat transfer fluid to the local return conduit via the outlet.

3. The local energy distribution system of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of local heating systems is configured to return a local heat transfer fluid having a temperature in the range of-5-15 ℃.

4. The local energy distribution system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of local heating systems comprise local circulation pumps connected between the inlet and the outlet of the respective local heating system for circulating local heat transfer fluid in the local supply and return conduits.

5. The local energy distribution system of claim 1, further comprising a central circulation pump configured to circulate fluid in the local supply and return conduits.

6. The local energy distribution system of claim 1, further comprising one or more local cooling systems having an inlet connected to the outlet of one of the plurality of local heating systems, wherein the one or more local cooling systems are configured to extract heat from a building.

7. The local energy distribution system of claim 6, wherein the one or more local cooling systems comprise a chiller and a cooling heat exchanger.

8. An energy distribution system comprising:

a district heating network comprising a district supply conduit for an inlet flow of a district heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120 ℃ and a district return conduit for a return flow of the district heat transfer fluid; and

the localized energy distribution system of claim 1.

9. The energy distribution system of claim 8, further comprising a central heating plant connected to the district heating network for providing heat to the district heating network.

10. The energy distribution system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of district heat stations, wherein each district heat station is configured to provide hot tap water and/or comfort heating to a building.

11. A method for distributing energy to a plurality of buildings using the local energy distribution system of claim 1, the method comprising:

at a central heat exchanger, exchanging heat from an input stream of a regional heat transfer fluid from a regional supply conduit in a regional heating network to an output stream of a localized heat transfer fluid in a localized supply conduit of a localized energy distribution system, the input stream of regional heat transfer fluid having a first temperature in the range of 50-120 ℃, the output stream of localized heat transfer fluid having a temperature of 5-30 ℃;

wherein in said exchanging, a zone heat transfer fluid having a temperature of 5-10 ℃ is returned to said zone return conduit; and

extracting heat from a local heat transfer fluid flowing in the local supply conduit at a local heating system in each of the plurality of buildings to provide hot tap water and/or comfort heating to the respective building, each local heating system having an inlet connected to the local supply conduit.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising circulating a local heat transfer fluid flow in the local energy distribution system, the local energy distribution system comprising a local supply conduit configured to distribute a local heat transfer fluid from the central heat exchanger and a local return conduit configured to distribute a local heat transfer fluid to the central heat exchanger.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

extracting heat from a building of the plurality of buildings at a local cooling system having an inlet connected to an outlet of one of the plurality of local heating systems; and

distributing heat extracted from the building to a local heat transfer fluid.